Williamsonia fletcheriWilliamson, 1923Ebony Boghaunter

Corduliidae, Emerald Family

The boghaunters are the smallest emeralds in the family with little metallic coloration. Their bodies are thinly haired. The abdomens in males are constricted just below the bases. The boghaunters are rare inhabitants of northeastern bogs, with two species in North America.

Status-Global/State:

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This small black dragonfly is one of the rarer emeralds. The body varies from 1.1 to 1.4 inches in the length. The abdomen has white rings near the base of the abdomen. The face is dark brown with bright green eyes for males and gray eyes for females. The ebony boghaunter is similar to the ringed boghaunter. However, the ringed boghaunter has orange rings on most of its abdomen and an orange-brown face.

Description of Habitat/Range:

Not common throughout northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, it prefers forested sphagnum bog pools and fens, often the same places as the ringed boghaunter.

Flight Season:

Early May to early July in Wisconsin. The flight season tends to be short, depending on its locations.

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

1%(2)

49%(81)

47%(77)

2%(4)

1%(1)

Shading illustrates monthly percentages of the total flight season records for the species.
Each flight season record is a unique date/location/observer combination where one or more adult or an
exuvia was recorded (excludes nymphs). The actual number of flight season records for each month is shown
in parentheses.

Flight seasons begin earlier in the southern
part of the state, often by a week or more. Also, flight charts may not be accurate for rare species because of
few data available.